Send emails through your Fundraising Dashboard encouraging everyone you know to join your team or support you with a donation. Be sure to clearly explain how their donations will help the American Cancer Society make a difference. (You can create your own email message or use one of the sample email templates provided.)

Collect cancer donations using our secure, personalized Web site.

Track individual progress as well as the progress of your team members.

Communicate with other team members and keep each other motivated.

Ask friends on Facebook & Twitter to support your fundraising effort (don’t forget to include a direct link to your personal fundraising page).

These in-person cancer fundraising ideas, for both individuals and teams, can help you meet your goals. Be creative, have fun, and ask everyone you know or meet to donate to help support your effort. The number-one reason people donate is because someone asked them!

Get the Apps

Download the American Cancer Society FUNdraising app to make fundraising on the go easier than ever. The mobile app is synchronized with your Dashboard so that you can manage your online fundraising efforts any time from your smartphone. It will also allow you to accept credit card, check and PayPal donations anywhere and at any time!

Get the Facebook app to fundraise through Facebook by sharing your story with friends, scheduling newsfeed messages and more.

Party and Event Ideas

Host a Party - Invite neighbors, coworkers, and friends and ask them to support you with a donation to help end cancer.

Make Espresso an Event - Have an espresso machine at home? Bring it to your office and make espresso drinks at work for a cancer donation.

Garage Sale - Ask your team members to clean out their attics, garages, and basements and bring items for a team-wide sale. Be sure to post signs indicating that all proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Have a cancer donation jar available and ask everyone who attends to donate an additional amount.

How Restaurants and Stores Can Help

Arrange a Dine Out Fundraiser* - Ask a local restaurant to donate a share of the evening's proceeds to the American Cancer Society, and then invite your friends!

Envelopes at Restaurant Tables - Ask a local restaurant to allow you to place cancer donation envelopes at every table that state, "Please support our American Cancer Society 2018 George Washington Bridge Challenge event."

Percentage of Sales* - Ask a store to designate a percentage of one day's sales or proceeds to the American Cancer Society and publicize the store's offer.

* Please contact your local American Cancer Society staff partner to conduct these types of events to ensure legal compliance.

Offer a Service

Be Helpful - Dog walking (or washing), babysitting, running errands, - you name it, just ask for a donation as payment.

Be Creative - Offer tailoring, closet organization, painting, or other creative skills to friends and family for a cancer donation.

Do Something Different!

Offer to Carry a Tribute Name of a Loved One - Sell tribute names to people who would like you to carry the name of a loved one who has battled cancer or is currently battling cancer. You can display the names/carry them with you in any unique way that you can think of.

Hold a Raffle - Find a unique prize like a handmade quilt or scarf, or a gift basket filled with items donated by friends and merchants. Offer chances to win and draw the name at the event. Note: Raffle laws vary by state and are not permitted in all states. Have your team leader check with your American Cancer Society staff partner before engaging in these types of activities.

Change Jar - On a team sponsored by your employer? Keep a change jar in a high-traffic work area. All change is donated to your team fundraising totals.

Give a Latte - One day a week everyone donates what they would spend on their daily latte. Post a video challenging all your friends to Give a Latte for our event.

Vacation Day - If you are on a team with coworkers, ask your boss to offer a bonus day off to the team member who raises the most money for cancer.

Double Your Money with Matching Gifts

Many employers offer matching gift programs. - Your $50 donation could turn into $100 just by asking your human resources department for a matching gift form and reminding friends and family who support you to do the same. Check to see if your company matches gifts. Don't see your company? In some cases, your company may match gifts, but isn't listed. Contact your human resources department to double-check.